When you feel emotional pain, it is because you care. We do not hurt about things or people that are not important to us. So when you do things to shut down or avoid your pain, you will slowly shut down what your heart desires. Take a moment, and listen to your pain. What is it telling you that you desire? Listen to it carefully or you might miss something important for you.

Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on month 8 day 15 of China’s lunar calendar (in September or October). Mid-Autumn Festival 2016 is on September 15. To many Chinese, it is still the second most important festival after Chinese New Year. It is a time where family members get together and be re-united with joy and laughter.

Lanterns are an important part of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Many children would go around the neighbourhood carrying their lanterns, which would light up the streets in beautiful colours. Our Church celebrated the Festival enjoying a wonderful time with our children ministry.

Walking around the dark streets with our lanterns reminded me of the scripture in Matthew 5:14-16 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

John already had a bad week last week – his business project was not doing well and he had an unresolved fight with his wife.

Lay Your Burdens Down

He woke up late, didn’t want to wake up because he was moody. So he was in a rush, anxious that he will be late for work. He was afraid of being scolded by his boss again. So he decided to skip his time with God. He rationalized that he will pray later when he is free.

His wife prepared a nice breakfast to try to make up with John. But John was anxious to rush to leave. His wife felt unappreciated and became angry with him for not eating her breakfast that she specially prepared for him. They had a heated argument in the kitchen. With the conflict still unresolved, John left the house in a frustration.

He went down to his car but his car had a flat tyre. He became more frustrated and kicked the tyre. Now because of his flat tyre he is definitely going to be late to work.

He arrived at work, 30 minutes late. He tried to explain to his boss but his boss only corrected him more. He felt depressed and not understood.

At work, the whole day he couldn’t fully concentrate at his job because he was still angry towards his wife, his car, and his boss. His subordinate came to discuss the project with him. But his subordinate forgot to finish the presentation for the project that is to be presented later that afternoon. Already filled with stress and bitterness from the morning argument with his wife, flat tire, and being scolded by his boss, he lashed out and yelled at his subordinates that she is lazy and stupid. His subordinate went away crying because of his harsh criticism. Later that day, after he got his composure, he felt guilty for making his subordinate cry. He apologized but he felt shameful for what he had done.

On his way home, he stopped by a park to think and rest. Tired as he was, he then tried to pray remembering that he missed his quiet time that morning and he had to fulfil his daily commitment time with God. He had to be a good Christian. But his thoughts kept drifting away to all the burdens and troubles that he had and created. He just couldn’t feel connected with God. After less than a few minutes, he gave up trying to pray, and went away feeling even more guilty and burdened.

Little did he know, all day long, God was waiting and walking by John’s side for John to “Come to Him, give Him all John’s worries and burdens, and God will give John rest. God is gentle and humble in heart, and God wants John and you to find rest for your soul.”

I want something that will revive my soul. Something that can refresh my weary and lethargic body. Something that can be trusted to work. There are just too many jazzed up products that claim to be helpful but are not. Products that cost too much money that don’t live up to their claims. Pretensions! Pretensions! The whole lot of them.

I just want to be happy. A product that will fill my heart with joy. A product that will lighten me and make me radiant. A product that I hope can last a long time. A product that is desirable, precious, and perhaps even sweeter than honey. A product that will return me a great reward when I invest into it.

I think I found it.

Check out Psalm 19:7-11 for this mysterious and precious product. A product that is more valuable than gold.

Ecclesiastes 7:3-43 Sorrow is better than laughter,For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning.While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. (NASB)

Tears have the power to mend our afflicted heart. The healing power comes not when we are in tears by ourselves, but when we are in sorrow in the comfort of others. Notice that the tear duct is located in the eye. Not anywhere else but the eye. Our eyes are meant for seeing. And when we grieve, we need to see someone else’s eyes. The other eyes that grieves with us. The other eyes that understand our sorrow. The other eyes that reflect tenderness in our time of weakness.

And when you grieve, who will you let into that grief, that tender moment of pain and sadness?